Scotland’s links to a once all-powerful religious order are celebrated as part of an eleven-hundred year-old anniversary. A delegation from Cluny is visiting Scotland as part of a year-long commemoration to mark the anniversary of the founding of the Cluniac Order in Burgundy. Culture Minister Fiona Hyslop met the group as they visited Paisley Abbey, one of few remaining Scottish sites with links to the Order, one of the most influential in medieval Europe.

Culture Minister Fiona Hyslop today (Monday) announced funding of Â£2.45m for the home of Sir Walter Scott, Abbotsford.
The Minister said: “Abbotsford gives us a glimpse into what life was like for Sir Walter Scott, share the beautiful inspiration he enjoyed around him and learn more about a man who is invaluable to our literary heritage.

A team of heritage conservators and digital design experts from Historic Scotland and the Digital Design Studio at the Glasgow School of Art are leaving Scotland on Friday, 7th May for the Black Hills of South Dakota to digitally record the international heritage landmark, Mount Rushmore. The project, expected to last two weeks, is the first international site the team will scan with 3D laser scanners as part of the Scottish 10 - an ambitious five-year project to use cutting edge technology to create exceptionally accurate digital models of Scotland’s five UNESCO designated World Heritage Sites and five international sites.

Culture and External Affairs Minister Fiona Hyslop has introduced the Historic Environment Amendment Bill (Scotland) 2010 to parliament. The Bill, published on Wednesday, will amend provisions in the existing Listed Building and Conservation Areas (Scotland) Act 1997, the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 and the Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act 1953. It will: